Head lights and tail lights are automatically reversing unless you make them independent.

All function outputs have FX generators for prototypical lighting effects and have qualifiers for FX effects and qualifiers for standard on/off functions.

All Digitrax Series 3 decoders have FX3 type functions.

FX3 decoders offer full function mapping so you can choose which function (F0-F12) controls each function lead.

FX3 decoders offer master light switch capability.

FX3 decoders offer qualifiers for FX function operation qualified by one of the following: the loco's direction of travel, whether F0 is on or off, loco direction and F0, or whether the loco is moving or not. These qualifiers are also available on function outputs that are used as standard on/off functions.

Motor Isolation Note: FX3 decoders have motor isolation protection. If the decoder senses that the motor is not isolated, it will not run the motor. In this case, you will be able to control the loco’s functions but the motor will not work.

Here is an explantion of how the CVs that control FX3 effects work. Most modern Digitrax systems do not use hexadecimal format but it is provided here in case you need it for older systems.

Decoders with FX3 features have 8 user configurable, independent special effects generators. These are set up by programming CV values as described below. If your decoder is not a “series 3” decoder, please check the spec sheet to determine which type of functions it supports.

FX3 functions incorporate FX generators with additional dynamic and static qualifiers. FX3 functions are fully remappable so they can be controlled by any function key on your system. A master light switch can be set up to turn off all lights on a locomotive. Functions associated with advanced consists can be controlled, too.

Setting Up FX3 Effects On Function Outputs

1. Each function output has an FX3 control CV associated with it. Using TABLE IVa below, determine which CV you need to program to set up an FX3 feature for the function output you are working with. For example, if you want to set up an FX feature on your forward headlight, you will use CV49 to control the FX3 feature for the lamp attached to F0F. Some decoders do not have function output wires attached. See the specific decoder instructions to determine which "pad" on the decoder controls each function. Use thin wire or wire saved during previous decoder installations to solder function output wires to the pads associated with the function you want to use.

2. Each FX3 effect has a CV value that generates the effect you want and controls how the effect works with respect to locomotive direction and the head light (F0) function.

The FX3 CV value is made up of 2 digits. The second digit determines which FX3 effect will be generated. The first digit determines how the effect will work with respect to the locomotive direction, the head light and other functions. Use TABLE IVb to determine the second digit and Table IVc to determine the first digit of the FX3 CV value to program into the CV selected in step 1.

TABLE IVb: The Second digit of the FX/FX3 CV value determines which FX3 effect will be generated.

Right ditch light on when loco is running forward and F0 is on. When F2 is on, the right ditch light flashes alternately with the left ditch light to simulate ditch light operation at a grade crossing.

xB

Left ditch light. on when loco is running forward and F0 is on. When F2 is on, the left ditch light flashes alternately with the right ditch light to simulate ditch light operation at a grade crossing.

xC-xF

Digitrax reserved for effects expansion.

TABLE IVc The first hex digit of the FX3 CV value determines how the effect generated will behave. For example, two strobe lights can be set up to flash alternately by setting one to phase A and the other to phase B. The strobes can also be set up to be on when the loco is moving forward and off when moving backward.

Ditch off phase A Alternate Ditch Operation-Off when running flash on with F2

Fx Master Light Switch F0

Ditch off phase B Alternate Ditch Operation-Off when running flash on with F2

3. Program the FX3 CV value from step 2 to the FX3 CV identified in step 1. If you are using the PR1, an FX set up section is available where you can just "point and click" to set up the effects you want to use. The software lets you select which function output and which FX feature you want from a menu so you don' have to use the tables above to determine which CV or CV value to use.

4. For FX3 decoders, you can set up as many as 8 function outputs. All FX3 outputs can be set up with FX3 effects.

5. If you want any function output to remain a simple on/off output, leave it programmed to the factory default of CV value 00.

Customizing FX3 Effects-Rate and Keep Alive: CV62

CV62 lets you control the rate and keep-alive brightness for each FX3 effect you set up. The CV value for CV62 is made up of 2 digits, the first digit and the second digit.

The first digit controls the keep alive/baseline off voltage for incandescent lamps. This value should be between 0 and F. A value of 0 gives no keep alive and a value of F gives maximum keep alive. Values between the high and low allow you to vary whether the lamp actually goes off between light pulses or whether it stays on very dimly or more brightly. (If you are using LEDs, the first digit for CV62 should be 0.)

The second digit controls the rate of the FX3 effects programmed. This value should be between 0 and F. A value of 0 gives a fast rate and a value of F gives a slow rate of operation. We recommend you start with a 4 and adjust it up or down until you get the effect you are looking for.

Ditch Light Hold Over Time CV63

If you are using the ditch light effect in conjunction with F2, CV63 lets you set up a hold over time to control how long the ditch lights continue to blink after F2 turned off by releasing the key on the throttle. Remember that F2 is a momentary key on most Digitrax throttles that will keep function 2 on as long as you hold the key down and then turn function 2 off when you release the key. This allows the ditch lights to be on steady during regular operation and to begin alternate flashing when F2 (usually the horn) is activated and to continue flashing alternately for a predetermined length of time after F2 is released; just like the prototype. A value of 00 yields no hold over time, a value of 40 yields a realistic time of about 5 seconds. A value of 255/xFF yields about 20 seconds hold over time.

FX3 Examples

Any function output on the decoder can be set up for any FX3 effect by programming its associated FX3 CV to the appropriate FX3 CV value. For example, if CV52, the FX3 CV for F2, is programmed with an FX3 CV value of 002/x02, the violet F2 function output will be a Mars light when F2 is turned on for this decoder address and the decoder's direction is forward.

TABLE IVd: FX3 CV EXAMPLES

CVs that affect all FX3 function outputs

Meaning

Recommended

CV# & CV Value

dec/hex

Effect on Decoder

Analog Functions Enable/Disable

(Not applicable for FX3)

13: 207/xcF

All functions F0 though F4 are ON in analog (DC) mode

Configuration Register

29:006/x06

Advanced 28/128 speed step mode, analog mode conversion enabled

Keep Alive/Rate

62:196/xc4

High keep-alive for lamps, Rate 4 for approx. 1 sec FX effect rate

Ditch Light Hold Over Time

63:064/x40

5 Sec Ditch light holdover after F2 is turned OFF

CVs that affect specific FX3 outputs:

Function/

Color

CV# &CV Value

dec/hex

FX3 Effect Generated

F0 Fwd White

49:104/x68

Rule 17 dimmable headlight, directional

F0 Rev Yellow

50:000/x00

Normal directional reverse headlight, NO effect used

F1 Green

51:106/x6A

Right Ditch light, directional. F0 & F2 must be ON for this to operate.

F2 Violet

52:107/x6b

Left Ditch Light, directional. F0 & F1 must be ON for this to operate.

F3 Brown

113:034/x22

MARS light, ON when F3 is ON (If we used {113:050/x32} we would get opposite phase MARS light)

To set up two alternating double pulse strobes on the green and violet function outputs controlled by turning on both F1and F2, program CV51 to a CV value of 037/x25 and program CV52 to a CV value of 053/x35. This is an example of using the alternate effects phases A & B.

For FX3 decoders you have 8 FX3 generators available to use with your function outputs.

Setting Up Static (Non-FX3) Functions with FX3

When an FX3 decoder output is set up for static on/off operation (no FX3 effect), you can use static qualifiers to customize the operation of the on/off function of that output.

In this case, the second digit of the FX3 control CV will always be 0 to set the decoder for static (no FX3)function operation. The first digit is determined by the following table according to how you want it to work.

Trying to program a decoder for FX3 when the decoder does not support FX3. Be sure the decoder you are programming has FX3 features. Digitrax introduced FX3 in 2002 in the “series 3” decoders. Digitrax introduced FX in the summer of 1995 in all of its premium decoders so if your decoder was made before then it does not have FX capability. FX & FX3 decoders use different CVs for controlling the function outputs of the decoder.

FX3 effects don't work as expected. Review the qualifiers you set up for the effect. For example, if the effect is set up to come on only when F1 and F0 are active and the loco is headed in the forward direction, be sure you have met those conditions.

Setting Up A Master Light Switch with FX3 Decoders

For FX3 decoders F0 can be used as a master light switch to turn off all lights in the locomotive when F0 if OFF. To do this set up all functions qualified to be on when F0 is on and off when F0 is off. See Table IVc above and use 4, 5 ,6, 7 ,E, or F as the first digit of the FX/FX3 control CV to enable the master light switch on F0.

Over the years as technology advanced, Digitrax has added more and more features to our mobile decoders. Also, over time, the industry standards and uses of come CVs have changed. Each of our decoder web pages includes a link to a specification sheet for that particular decoder so that you will know which CVs are used for which features in that particular model.

Digitrax uses series numbers to let customers know which feature set is part of a particular decoder.

The fifth character of each mobile + function decoder part number is the Digitrax series designator. For sound + motor + function decoders we typically use the sixth character as the series designator. There are variations in a few part numbers.

Series 6

Compatible with Digitrax PX series Power Xtenders to keep locos and sound running in the presence of dirty/poor track work.FX3 outputs optimized for both LED and bulb applications.FX3 outputs have configurable pulse available on all outputs.

Sound Bug Compatible: Series 5 Digitrax Decoders add the ability to add sound to regular mobile decoders with Sound Bug. Some Series 5 decoders have sockets for simply plugging in the Sound Bug while others require soldering to wire the Sound Bug to the decoder.

Series 4

First generation SoundFX decoders

Most are mobile, sound and function decoders, some are sound and function only decoders.

Series 3

Series 3 decoders with 6 functions have FX3 function outputs

Torque compensation

SuperSonic motor drive for quiet operation (silent operation)

Support for all DCC programming methods as of the time of release

Operations mode read back capability for CV read back on the main line

That's it! A simple, straightforward warranty with no tricky language!

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Please give your name, e-mail address, phone number and when is the best time to contact you. Please give a complete description of the issue you are having.

Many problems are easily resolved by contacting Digitrax Tech Support without having to send in your unit.

Note: Some Digitrax products are no longer repairable due to unavailability of repair parts. Un-repairable items will be returned to you at no charge with no repairs made.

Please Note: Most of our products are not user serviceable. If a defect or accidental damage occurs, return the unit directly to Digitrax for service. Please do not open the Command Station/Boosters (except for making voltage adjustments or changing batteries per the manuals). Please do not remove the shrink wrap protective sleeves from the Digitrax decoders. Shrink may be peeled back to expose pads for adding function wires.

Accessory items that are not covered under the No Worries Warranty carry a 90 day warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. This includes speakers, wire, cables, battery covers, etc.

Intentional damage and customer modifications outside the scope of instructions provided with the product are not covered by this warranty.

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